Charlize Theron has revealed that Mad Max 4: Fury Road will not be a prequel or sequel to the previous films.

The Oscar-winning South African actress is set to star alongside Tom Hardy as Mad Max in the fourth instalment, which comes 27 years since the last movie, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

"Like with Snow White And The Huntsman, there is so much potential to re-imagine that world. It's such an interesting world and how much it still resonates today after 20 years or whatever it's been. We're going back to that world but this is not a prequel or sequel or anything like that," she said.

Charlize - who stars as evil queen Ravenna in Snow White And The Huntsman - is excited to see what Tom has up his sleeve for his upcoming performance, which sees him stepping into Mel Gibson's shoes.

"Tom Hardy will be playing Mad Max but this is not the Mad Max that we know from that [film]. Only Tom Hardy can do this Mad Max and my character is a brand new character as well," she added.

The 36-year-old also revealed that being a mother to son Jackson, who she announced she adopted in March, is her number one priority from now on.

"I'm sure later on, when he has to go to school and so on, it will definitely [affect me]," she said.

"I'm in the wonderful stage right now where he can go with me anywhere and he loves it. I'll just have to wait and see but there's no doubt in my mind that he will always be my priority for sure," she added.